Bullpen Report: May 10, 2016

A few notes from Monday:

• Aroldis Chapman is back playing for New York. There was no save opportunity but Chapman came in the game throwing is normal ~100 mph heat. Chapman allowed a run to score but he didn’t issue a walk and struck out two batters throwing his regular velocity. Whether or not he stays in the Bronx all season long, Chapman must be considered a top-five closing option in fantasy moving forward.

• Bryan Price has yet to name a closer but after his save last night, Cingrani has now recorded the last two saves for the Reds. Two successful saves is about as good as anyone has done on the Reds so I would expect Cingrani to continue to be the ninth inning guy.

On to tonight’s games:

• We mentioned the likelihood of Brad Boxberger becoming the closer in Tampa Bay once he returns from injury and that seems to remain the case with Marc Topkin suggesting that “the Rays aren’t going to have a closer controversy.” Alex Colome will move down a slot and if he keeps up his 50% ground-ball percentage and 32% stirkeout rate, he’ll be a top non-closing option with potential for some vulture saves.

• Andrew Miller was a perfect 6/6 on saves as closer so naturally when Aroldis comes back he starts blowing leads. Miller allowed a lead-off homer to Lorenzo Cain (which happened to be his third of the game) but he earned the win after Kelvin Herrera allowed three runs (two earned) in the eighth. Aroldis then threw a scoreless ninth for his first save as a Yankee. Aroldis has thrown two games in a row and considering it’s his first MLB action of the year, don’t be surprised to see him have a night off tomorrow.

• Kevin Jepsen allowed four baserunners and two runs in a tie game, receiving his fourth loss on the year. Trevor May meanwhile threw a scoreless eighth, dropping his ERA to 1.89 which is supported by an impressive 2.33 FIP and 3.04 xFIP. May recorded one strikeout and now has 27 on the year in only 19 innings. After tonight’s outing, Jepsen has a 5.40/4.94/5.10 ERA/FIP/xFIP pitching line and I’ve accordingly changed the Twins situation to red. No word out of Twins camp about a change but Jepsen doesn’t have many bad bullets left. Glen Perkins isn’t close to returning either so I would definitely recommend speculating on May. He’s worth owning if saves aren’t close and is a must own now.

• Quick Hits: K-Rod allowed two base runners, one of which included a Bryce Harper intentional walk, but otherwise held on for the lead and his eighth save of the year. Jeanmar Gomez allowed two hits including a homer to Freddie Freeman en route to his league leading 12th save. Hector Neris threw a scoreless eighth for his eighth hold of the year. Neris has a fantastic strikeout rate and a shiny 1.70 ERA but he’s also benefiting from an unsustainable .171 BABIP and a 100% Left on Base Percentage. Neris is undoubtedly the sexier reliever but he has some possible regression coming which could keep Gomez’ job fairly secure. Darren O’Day continues his run as a premier non-closing option throwing a scoreless eighth and getting the win (2) with Zach Britton closing it out for the save (8). Hector Rondon (7) closed the door for the Cubs, a somewhat rarity given that they have 25 wins.

Closer Grid:

[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]